The late-night study sessions are history, along with lengthy reading and writing assignments, all replaced by Ashley Nu’u’s singular focus: reaching her potential.
Nu’u is devoted full-time to volleyball as a new resident of the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. The 5-foot-10 setter took a timeout from studies at the University of Colorado, where she is one semester shy of a degree in psychology, to compete with the U.S. national team for a berth in this summer’s Pan American Cup.
On Sunday, Nu’u broke from her daily nine-hour training routine to accept the volleyball award at the 33rd annual Sportswomen of Colorado banquet.
As a three-time SWC award winner, Nu’u was inducted into the SWC Hall of Fame, along with Air Force Academy javelin thrower Dana Pounds and the Adams State College cross country program.
Race car driver Melanie Troxel was honored as the sportswoman of the year at the Marriott Denver Tech Center event, which featured video highlights of various award winners.
A variety of sports were represented among the 49 award-winners, from ballooning to kayaking and lacrosse to gymnastics.
Nu’u is one of the few winners afforded the opportunity to pursue her sport full time.
“It helps not having distractions,” she said. “I am living and breathing volleyball. It helps not to have other worries, to just play. I am enjoying not having any deadlines.”
The demands on her body are greater than ever, however.
“There’s a lot to get used to physically, what this training is doing to my body,” she said.
A typical day in the eight-week program includes three-hour daily team practices, conditioning and weightlifting, and individual skill sessions. Gradually, the time commitment increases and the mental focus intensifies.
Already, Nu’u has shed 15 pounds, dropping to 144 pounds through a combination of increased training time and dining at a healthy training table.
“I’ve never been this active,” she said. “It’s not that I wasn’t in good shape in college, it is just that between team practice and individual practice and then lifting, I am doing so much more.”
Ashley’s career started with her twin sister, Amber, at Smoky Hill High School, where she won her first two SWC awards. The twins also played on the competitive club circuit, where gym time was difficult to obtain.
In a full-circle move last September, their father, Joe, a 27-year veteran in sports coaching and facilities, opened a 48,000-square- foot training center, Sports Bridge Sports Complex.
Joe, a native Western Samoan who moved to the U.S. at age 11, has been on the forefront of the volleyball growth movement. Now his daughter Ashley is one of its upcoming stars gaining the chance to become even better.
“I would never have dreamed of all this,” Joe Nu’u said. “I am calling my parents to let them know. They will be so proud.”
2006 AWARD WINNERS
Sportswoman of the year – Melanie Troxel, motorsports
Hall of Fame inductees – Ashley Nu’u, Colorado volleyball; Dana Pounds, Air Force track and field; the Adams State cross country team
WINNERS BY SPORT
Ballooning – Carol Rymer Davis, Denver
Basketball – Diana Lopez, Regis University; Hannah Tuomi, Horizon; Mallory Cline, McClave; McClave basketball team and coach Dick Peecher
Boxing – Terri Cruz, Denver
Cyclocross – Katie Compton, Colorado Springs
Golf – Andrea Watts, Kent Denver
Gymnastics – Hannah Bower, Loveland
Ice hockey – Emily West, Pine Creek
Kayaking – Hanna Farrar, Carbondale, and Dartmouth College
Field hockey – Greta Meyer, Kent Denver
Lacrosse – Danielle Kachulis, Kent Denver; Kristie Leggio, University of Denver
Motorsports – Melanie Troxel
Running – Sara Slattery, Lafayette; University of Colorado cross country team; Kaitie Vanatta, Ralston Valley
Skiing – Lindsey Kildow, Vail; Lucie Zikova, University of Colorado; Jana Rehemaa, University of Colorado
Soccer – Metro State team and coach Danny Sanchez; Nikki Marshall, University of Colorado; Danielle Foxhoven, Mullen
Softball – Jessica Strickland, Colorado State; Kelli Henderson, Cherry Creek
Swimming – Lisa Caprioglio, Highlands Ranch and University of Georgia
Tennis – Rhona Kaczmarczyk, Denver; Sara Anundsen, University of North Carolina
Track and field – Dana Pounds, Air Force; Jenny Barringer, University of Colorado; Adams State track and cross country teams with Victoria Martinez, TiaNiecia Mosley and coach Damon Martin
Volleyball – Lisa Meeter, C.S. Christian; Ashley Nu’u, University of Colorado
MASTER SPORTS
Swimming – Susan von de Lippe, Loveland
Triathlon – Cindi Toepel, Littleton
